Cons

Far from the waterfront, and some of San Francisco's most famous tourist sites

If you're not into Japanese culture and cuisine, there's not much for you here

What It's Like

In 1906, following a devastating earthquake, Japanese immigrants began moving from Chinatown to the neighborhood now known as Japantown (or Nihonmachi). A century later, few Japanese people actually live in the area -- the result of WWII- and Cold War-era internment and, more recently, urban renewal -- but they do still come here to shop. Fun and funky toy stores, Japanese booksellers, traditional and eclectic restaurants (some Korean and Chinese), and some innovative architecture has transformed the area into something that looks like a smaller, less-crowded version of the Ginza district in Tokyo.

Where To Stay

The most notable advantage to staying in Japantown is that you can find a fun, funky boutique hotel for a great price. The two most notable options are the Best Western Tomo and the Hotel Kabuki.